The Colusa County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously adopted a resolution expressing opposition to any policy, law, or executive order that creates a COVID-19 mandate.
Supervisor Kent Boes, who co-sponsored the resolution with Chairman Gary Evans, said the County’s opposition to vaccine mandates stems from recent state and federal actions to mandate citizens get a vaccine or face the loss of their livelihoods.
“With everything that is going on with the various state and federal mandates, folks are losing their jobs or in danger of losing their employment without them considering antibody tests or T-Cell tests,” Boes said. “There are a lot of other options.”
Supervisors said they were not “anti-vaccination” and Colusa County Public Health continues to hold vaccination clinics weekly, while trying to educate the public about the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines.
The Biden administration is facing widespread opposition to his vaccination requirements on private businesses with more than 100 workers. At least 27 states have filed lawsuits challenging the rule as unconstitutional, unlawful, and unwise.
A court on Saturday temporarily paused the rule, but White House officials said Monday that employers should proceed with the mandate despite the court order. The matter will likely be taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court before the mandate takes effect on Jan. 4, 2022.
Colusa County officials said they are aware the resolution has no legal “teeth,” but said the resolution was the best way for counties that are not in the financial position to sign on to any lawsuits to voice their opposition. Several northstate counties have passed similar resolutions, Boes said.
Supervisors said the resolution expressing opposition to any unnecessary mandates on citizens demonstrates they are committed to upholding their oath to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California.
“The Board of Supervisors recognizes each individual’s civil liberty to refuse a vaccination based upon their own religious, medical, or personal reasons – or beliefs,” Boes said, in reading the resolution into the record.
Unlike Tehama and Sutter counties, which passed similar resolutions following an hour or more of input by citizens both for and against widespread health mandates, there was no support or opposition to the resolution expressed by the public in Colusa County.
Colusa County officials said they would continue to ensure that every Colusa County citizen who wants a COVID-19 vaccine and booster shots has access to receive them.
They also support Colusa County Public Health Department’s efforts to educate the community on the effectiveness of the vaccines, masks, and early treatment in preventing severe COVID-19 health implications.
The board also encouraged the public to discuss the virus and vaccination with their personal physicians.
As of Monday, there have been 22 Colusa County deaths due to COVID-19, and 3,186 confirmed cases, with 67 percent of residents ages 65 and up fully vaccinated (73 percent one dose) and 65 percent of those ages 50-64 fully vaccinated (73 percent one dose), according to the County’s dashboard.
The County has gained in the number of younger citizens getting vaccinated, with 50 percent of 20-49-year-olds fully vaccinated (59 percent one dose), and 23 percent of 12-17-year-olds fully vaccinated (30 percent one dose).
The County is also providing citizens with Moderna and Pfizer booster shots, recommended about 9-10 months after the last shot, or six months for high-risk individuals with underlying medical conditions (immunocompromised).
People with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine can receive either the Moderna or Pfizer, said Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Kelly. ■